Season Review 2016/2017

August 2016

Wanderers enjoyed an explosive start to life under Phil Parkinson as they finished the opening month of the campaign top of the Sky Bet League One table following an unbeaten start to the season.

Opening the campaign with a 1-0 victory over promotion favourites Sheffield United at Macron Stadium thanks to Jay Spearing’s spectacular volley, the Whites then ended their year-long wait for an away win at AFC Wimbledon – Liam Trotter and Gary Madine with the goals.

Spearing was on the scoresheet again as Bolton clinched back-to-back wins on the road after winning 2-1 away at Bristol Rovers, before Josh Vela scored a late winner to make it four wins in away when the Trotters hosted Fleetwood Town.

Finishing the month with a 1-1 draw at Charlton Athletic, not even two cup defeats could dampen spirits at Macron Stadium, with the arrival of five deadline day signings only boosting the positive feeling around the club further.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Jay Spearing

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Captaining the Trotters in the continued absence of the injured Darren Pratley, Spearing caught the eye with his whole-hearted displays in midfield and scored the winner in Wanderers' clashes with both Sheffield United and Bristol Rovers.

MEMORABLE MATCH: AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Bolton
Bolton Wanderers made it two Sky Bet League One victories on the spin after coming from behind to win at AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
 
Gary Madine cancelled out Andy Barcham’s early opener in front of a capacity home crowd in sunny south west London.
 
And Liam Trotter’s goal midway through the second period secured victory and with it ended Bolton’s long wait for three points on the road as 769 travelling fans finally went home happy.



AUGUST RESULTS
Sheffield United H W 1-0
Blackpool A (EFL Cup) L 4-2
AFC Wimbledon A W 1-2
Bristol Rovers A W 1-2
Fleetwood Town H W 2-1
Charlton Athletic A D 1-1
Everton H (Checkatrade Trophy) L 0-2
 
AUGUST APPEARANCES
Mark Beevers 7
Josh Vela 7
Gary Madine 7
Lewis Buxton 6
Mark Howard 6
Dean Moxey 6
Mark Davies 6
Jamie Proctor 6
Jay Spearing 6
Liam Trotter 6
Chris Taylor 6
David Wheater 5
Conor Wilkinson 4
Lawrie Wilson 3
Zach Clough 3
Andrew Taylor 3
Kaiyne Woolery 3
Ben Amos 1
Jack Earing 1
Alex Finney 1
Derik Osede 1
Alex Perry 1
Darren Pratley 1
Tom Walker 1
 
AUGUST GOALSCORERS
Gary Madine 3
Jay Spearing 2
Josh Vela 2
Jamie Proctor 1
Liam Trotter 1
Kaiyne Woolery 1

September 2016:

The month of September saw both Mark Beevers and Keshi Anderson open their respective accounts for the club. Phil Parkinson's side suffered their first defeat of the season against Walsall, elsewhere the Whites drew with Parkinson's former club Bradford and Phil Brown's Southend.

The Whites opened the month with a 1-1 draw against Phil Brown's Southend United as Keshi Anderson marked his Bolton debut with a goal, before Mark Beevers, building on an impressive start to life at Macron Stadium, netted his maiden Trotters strike in their next outing as they drew 1-1 with MK Dons.

A first defeat away at Walsall followed before Wanderers fought out a 0-0 draw with manager Phil Parkinson's former club Bradford City. The month finished with a narrow defeat away at local-rivals Rochdale.

Mark Howard and David Wheater both completed every minute of the Whites' five matches throughout the month with the former saving a penalty against MK Dons and keeping a clean sheet against Bradford, while the latter captained Bolton against Walsall.

Deadline day signing James Henry and Liam Trotter both started all of Bolton's games throughout the month, while Sammy Ameobi, Jamie Proctor and Josh Vela also featured in all five matches.

Elsewhere, Jay Spearing picked up where he left off to impress in the heart of midfield after winning the KIA Player of the Month award for August.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Jay Spearing

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Winner of the award in August, Spearing continued his impressive start to the campaign in the second month of the season as he featured in four of the Whites' matches throughout September, producing a string of impressive performances.
 
MEMORABLE MATCH: Bolton 1-1 Southend United




Wanderers’ unbeaten start to life in Sky Bet League One continued as they played out a 1-1 draw with Southend United at Macron Stadium in early September.
 
 
It was the visitors who broke the deadlock inside three minutes, with Harry Kyprianou slamming home from six yards out, but the Whites were back level in the 48th minute as Keshi Anderson notched a debut strike for the club.
 
It was all Bolton for the remainder of the second period, with Jay Spearing seeing a free-kick tipped over the bar amongst other chances for the Trotters, but they were ultimately forced to settle for just the solitary point come full time.
 
SEPTEMBER RESULTS:
Southend United (H) D 1-1
MK Dons (H) D 1-1
Walsall (A) L 1-0
Bradford City (H) D 0-0
Rochdale (A) L 1-0

SEPTEMBER APPEARANCES:
Mark Howard 5
David Wheater 5
James Henry 5
Liam Trotter 5
Sammy Ameobi 5
Jamie Proctor 5
Josh Vela 5
Mark Beevers 4
Jay Spearing 4
Lewis Buxton 4
Keshi Anderson 4
Dean Moxey 4
Chris Taylor 4
Andrew Taylor 3
Tom Thorpe 3
Zach Clough 3
Gary Madine 1
Lawrie Wilson 1

SEPTEMBER GOALSCORERS:

Keshi Anderson 1
Mark Beevers 1

October 2016:

October saw Wanderers win six of their seven games in all competitions, scoring eleven goals along the way. A Sammy Ameobi goal against Blackpool in the Checkatrade Trophy was the catalyst that started the unbeaten run, which saw Bolton go five games without conceding.

Having opened the month with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Oxford United, the Whites recovered in memorable fashion to win all of their next six matches - keeping five clean sheets in a row along the way.

Sammy Ameobi scored his first goal for the Club in their 1-0 victory over Blackpool in the Checkatrade Trophy group stages, before late own goal saw Wanderers clinch another 1-0 win as they returned to league action against Swindon Town.

Bursting into life midway through the month, Zach Clough fired home a memorable brace for his first goals of the season in a 2-0 victory over Oldham Athletic.

The Whites then clinched back-to-back wins on the road as memorable efforts from Ameobi and David Wheater secured a 2-0 victory away at Millwall before two Clough penalties saw off local rivals Bury by the same score in front of the Sky cameras at Gigg Lane.

Bolton finished the month with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Port Vale at Macron Stadium, firing three first-half goals in the space of nine minutes through Clough, Josh Vela and Lawrie Wilson to seal the win.

Impressing defensively with a string of clean sheets, Mark Beevers continued to shine in the heart of defence alongside Wheater with Mark Howard virtually unbeatable behind them in goal.

On the flanks, Andrew Taylor and Wilson took advantages of injuries elsewhere to make the full-back positions their own, the former completing every minute of all seven outings alongside Wheater.

Youth team graduates Clough and Vela both started all of the Trotters' matches during the month, while Ameobi and Gary Madine also featured in all seven games.

Elsewhere, Jay Spearing picked up where he left off to impress in the heart of midfield alongside Derik Osede and Tom Thorpe after winning the KIA Player of the Month awards for both August and September.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Zach Clough

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Having seen the opening weeks of the season disrupted by injury, the 21-year-old's campaign burst into life during the month of October as he fired home five goals from just five Sky Bet League One outings.
First on the scoresheet at Macron Stadium with a brace against Oldham Athletic, the forward netted a further brace away at local rivals Bury in front of the Sky cameras, before rounding off the month with a fine individual strike against Port Vale.
 

MEMORABLE MATCH: Bury 0-2 Bolton






Wanderers secured the derby bragging rights with a comfortable victory over neighbours Bury at Gigg Lane in late October.
Phil Parkinson’s side took the lead in the 13th minute of the clash with Zach Clough winning a penalty and converting it himself – a feat which he repeated ten minutes into the second half to double the Trotters’ advantage.
 
The result ensured Wanderers made it five wins and as many clean sheets on the spin.
 
OCTOBER RESULTS:
Oxford United (H) L 0-2
Blackpool (H) W 1-0
Swindon Town (A) W 0-1
Oldham Athletic (H) W 2-0
Millwall (A) W 0-2
Bury (A) W 0-2
Port Vale (H) W 3-1

OCTOBER APPEARANCES:
Zach Clough 7
Andrew Taylor 7
David Wheater 7
Josh Vela 7
Gary Madine 7 
Sammy Ameobi 7 
James Henry 7 
Mark Beevers 6
Mark Howard 6
Lawrie Wilson 6
Jay Spearing 6 
Jamie Proctor 6 
Derik Osede 5 
Tom Thorpe 4
Liam Trotter 2 
Keshi Anderson 2 
Chris Taylor 2 
Ben Alnwick 1
Dean Moxey 1
Alex Samizadeh 1

OCTOBER GOALSCORERERS:
Zach Clough 5
Sammy Ameobi 2
David Wheater 1
Lawrie Wilson 1
Josh Vela 1
Own goal 1

November 2016:


Relive the month of November as Wanderers entered the Emirates FA Cup early on in November, while Bolton also picked up three consecutive victories against Millwall, Coventry City and Northampton Town towards the end of the month.

The Whites finished the month second in Sky Bet League One after winning their last three league outings of November without conceding a goal.

Opening the month with an Emirates FA Cup first round 1-0 victory over Grimsby Town, Liam Trotter with the goal, before a 1-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town saw them exit the Checkatrade Trophy.

After losing away at Peterborough United, Phil Parkinson's men bounced back courtesy of successive home victories over Millwall (2-0) and Coventry City (1-0) before finishing the month with a 1-0 win away at Northampton Town.

Having won the award for October, Zach Clough carried on where he left off as he took his tally for the season to seven courtesy of back-to-back winners over the Sky Blues and Cobblers, having featured in every game for Bolton during the month.

Lawrie Wilson was an ever-present for Bolton, while Sammy Ameobi and James Henry also featured in every outing.

Elsewhere, Ben Alnwick shone in goal after replacing the injured Mark Howard midway through the month. Keeping three clean sheets in a row, his performances saw him named PFA Fans' Sky Bet League One Player of the Month.

Josh Vela scored a contender for Wanderers' goal of the season so far with a stunning effort against Millwall, while Tom Thorpe also managed to open his account for the Club in the same game.

Meanwhile, Mark Beevers, Andrew Taylor, Jay Spearing, and Derik Osede continued to impress when available as the Whites maintained their status as boasting the best defence in the division throughout the month.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Josh Vela

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Impressing in a new advanced position behind the striker, the 22-year-old's hardworking performances caught the eye during the month of November as the Whites continued to challenge at the top end of the Sky Bet League One table.
 
The highlight of Vela's month came against Millwall as he scored an outstanding 25-yard volley to help Bolton run out 2-0 winners.
 

MEMORABLE MATCH: Bolton 2-0 Millwall







Following a slow start to proceedings, the Whites opened the scoring in style as Josh Vela’s volley from the edge of the area nestled into the back of the Lions’ net.
 
Bolton’s advantage was then doubled 12 minutes into the second half, with Tom Thorpe notching his first for the club with a powerful header from a corner kick to make sure of the win.
 
NOVEMBER RESULTS:
Grimsby Town (H) W 1-0
Cheltenham Town (A) L 1-0
Peterborough United (A) L 1-0
Millwall (H) W 2-0
Coventry City (H) W 1-0
Northampton Town (A) W 0-1

NOVEMBER APPEARANCES:
Lawrie Wilson 6
Sammy Ameobi 6
Zach Clough 6
James Henry 6
Mark Beevers 5
Andrew Taylor 5
Josh Vela 5
Ben Alnwick 5
Chris Taylor 5
Jamie Proctor 5
Gary Madine 4
Liam Trotter 4
Tom Thorpe 4
Jay Spearing 3
David Wheater 3
Derik Osede 3
Mark Howard 2
Keshi Anderson 2
Dean Moxey 2
Lewis Buxton 1
Alex Perry 1
Max Clayton 1

NOVEMBER GOALSCORERERS:
Zach Clough 2
Tom Thorpe 1
Liam Trotter 1
Josh Vela 1

December 2016:

Wanderers maintained their promotion challenge during the final month of the calendar year as the season reached its halfway point, finishing 2016 second in Sky Bet League One after winning all their matches at Macron Stadium during the month.

Opening December with an Emirates FA Cup second round victory over Sheffield United (3-2), Bolton then put four past Gillingham to claim an emphatic win in front of the Sky cameras.

After losing away at Chesterfield, Phil Parkinson's men bounced back during the festive period courtesy of successive home victories over Shrewsbury Town (2-1) and Scunthorpe United (2-1) to finish the year in style.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Gary Madine

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An ever-present throughout the month, the forward started all five of the Whites outings during December, scoring three goals and setting up a further two along the way.
 
The highlight of Madine's month came against Gillingham as he put in a man-of-the-match performance in front of the Sky cameras, scoring twice as the Whites claimed an emphatic 4-0 victory at Macron Stadium.
 
MEMORABLE MATCH: Bolton 2-1 Scunthorpe United




Wanderers ended 2016 in Sky Bet League One's top two following the most dramatic of victories over Scunthorpe United at Macron Stadium on New Year's Eve.
 
Phil Parkinson’s men broke the deadlock inside 17 minutes and did so in style, with Josh Vela thundering home on the half volley from all of 20 yards.
 
The visitors levelled shortly after the hour mark through Neal Bishop from close range, but James Henry had the last word deep into injury time to earn all three points for the Trotters.

DECEMBER RESULTS:
Sheffield United (H) W 3-2
Gillingham (H) W 4-0
Chesterfield (A) L 1-0
Shrewsbury Town (H) W 2-1
Scunthorpe United (H) W 2-1

DECEMBER APPEARANCES:
Ben Alnwick 5
Mark Beevers 5
Andrew Taylor 5
David Wheater 5
Gary Madine 5 
Jay Spearing 5 
Josh Vela 5 
Sammy Ameobi 5 
Tom Thorpe 5 
Lawrie Wilson 5 
Zach Clough 5 
Chris Taylor 4
Derik Osede 3
Keshi Anderson 2
James Henry 2
Jamie Proctor 2

DECEMBER GOALSCORERS:
Gary Madine 3
Josh Vela 3
Sammy Ameobi 2
David Wheater 2
James Henry 1

January 2017:

The Whites opened the calendar year with a 2-2 draw away at Coventry City as Max Clayton marked his return from injury with an injury-time equaliser, before fighting out a 0-0 draw with Premier League Crystal Palace in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Returning to league action with a 2-1 home defeat against Swindon Town despite David Wheater's venomous volley, a cup replay away at Crystal Palace was next up for Bolton as they were unlucky to exit the competition despite James Henry's stunning opener.

Seeing their league trip to Southend United postponed because of a frozen pitch, the Trotters finished the month with a 2-1 home defeat against Charlton Athletic as Zach Clough scored in what would prove to be his final appearance for the Club.

Enjoying a lively end to the transfer window, the highlight of which saw fan favourite Adam Le Fondre return to Macron Stadium on loan, Wanderers also brought in fellow loanees Chris Long and Viv Solomon-Otabor.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Jay Spearing


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An ever-present throughout the month, the Whites stand-in skipper also provided an assist against Swindon Town as he did not miss a minute of Bolton's five matches throughout the month.
 
Impressing in the heart of midfield, the 28-year-old's performances see him win the award for the third time this season after coming out on top in both August and September.
 

MEMORABLE MATCH: Crystal Palace 2-1 Bolton




Wanderers exited the Emirates FA Cup following a third round replay defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night.
 
Following a goalless first period, the deadlock was broken three minutes into the second half as James Henry’s looped effort eluded Julian Speroni in the Palace goal.
 
The home side were level with 22 minutes remaining however, with substitute Christian Benteke nodding home while the striker doubled his and the Eagles’ tally in the 77th minute as he fired home from the edge of the box - a goal which proved decisive come full time.
 
JANUARY RESULTS:
Coventry City (A) D 2-2
Crystal Palace (H) D 0-0
Swindon Town (H) L 1-2
Crystal Palace (A) L 2-1
Charlton Athletic (H) L 1-2

JANUARY APPEARANCES:
Ben Alnwick 5
Jay Spearing 5
Andrew Taylor 5
Josh Vela 5
David Wheater 5
Mark Beevers 5
Gary Madine 5
Zach Clough 5
James Henry 5
Max Clayton 5
Jamie Proctor 5
Tom Thorpe 4
Lawrie Wilson 4
Chris Taylor 2
Sammy Ameobi 1
Derik Osede 1
Liam Trotter 1
Conor Wilkinson 1

JANUARY GOALSCORERS:
Zach Clough 2
Max Clayton 1
James Henry 1
David Wheater 1

February 2017:

Starting the month with a 1-1 draw away at MK Dons, Phil Parkinson's men then thrashed Walsall 4-1 at Macron Stadium before clinching back-to-back home wins courtesy of a late 1-0 victory over local-rivals Rochdale.

Recovering a two-goal deficit in their next outing to draw 2-2 away at Bradford City in their next outing, the Whites then lost away at Sheffield United before finishing the month with a 1-1 home draw with Bristol Rovers.

Mark Beevers, Josh Vela and David Wheater all got their names on the scoresheet throughout the month as they completed every minute of all six of Bolton's fixtures, while Gary Madine top-scored in February with two headed efforts against Walsall and Bradford City.

Elsewhere, winter signing Filipe Morais impressed as he started every game, alongside Derik Osede, after joining the Club early in the month, while Adam Le Fondre also featured in all six matches after returning to Macron Stadium on loan.

Chris Long opened his account for the Trotters against Walsall after joining on loan from Premier League Burnley, while Viv Soloman-Otabor and Reece Wabara also both made their Wanderers debuts during the month.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: David Wheater

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The defender did not miss a minute of the Whites' six outings, scoring in their 2-2 draw away at Bradford City along the way.
 
Also helping Bolton keep a clean sheet against Rochdale, Wheater finished the month as the Trotters captain in the absence of injured midfield duo Darren Pratley and Jay Spearing.
 

MEMORABLE MATCH: Bolton 4-1 Walsall




Wanderers came from behind to pick up all three points against Walsall with an emphatic victory at Macron Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
The deadlock was broken against the run of play with just four minutes gone, with Erhun Oztumer smashing home from all of 40 yards, but Bolton were back level just 11 minutes later through Gary Madine’s header.
 
With 25 minutes on the clock, the Trotters were in front as James O’Connor turned a Spearing cross past his own goalkeeper, and just five minutes after Liam Trotter extended the hosts’ lead with a long range effort.
 
And with a matter of minutes remaining, Chris Long had a goal on his home debut and one to remember as he thundered home from a seemingly impossible angle to ensure a handsome scoreline come the final whistle.

FEBRUARY RESULTS:
MK Dons (A) D 1-1
Walsall (H) W 4-1
Rochdale (H) W 1-0
Bradford City (A) D 2-2
Sheffield United (A) L 2-0
Bristol Rovers (H) D 1-1

FEBRUARY APPEARANCES:
Mark Beevers 6
Josh Vela 6
David Wheater 6
Filipe Morais 6 
Derik Osede 6
Adam Le Fondre 6
Chris Long 5
Ben Alnwick 4
Gary Madine 4
Jay Spearing 4
Dean Moxey 4
Tom Thorpe 4
Liam Trotter 4
Viv Solomon-Otabor 4
Andrew Taylor 3
James Henry 3
Mark Howard 2 
Conor Wilkinson 2
Max Clayton 2
Reece Wabara 1
Lawrie Wilson 1
Dorian Dervite 1

FEBRUARY GOALSCORERS:
Gary Madine 2
Mark Beevers 1
Chris Long 1
Liam Trotter 1
Jay Spearing 1
Josh Vela 1
David Wheater 1
Own goal 1

March 2017:


Winning all of their next five outings, the Trotters' next showing saw them win the LMA LG Performance of the Week Award after they won 4-2 away at promotion-rivals Fleetwood Town.

Scoring an unanswered four goals against Gillingham to record another emphatic away win, Wanderers followed that up with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Northampton Town back at Macron Stadium.

Keeping their impressive run going with another 4-2 away victory, this time at Oxford United, the Whites then finished the month with a 2-0 win away at Shrewsbury Town.

Having only made his first appearance of the season back in February, Dorian Dervite completed every minute of Bolton's six matches throughout the month alongside defensive partners Mark Beevers and David Wheater, who also showcased their abilities at the other end of the field by netting four and two goals each respectively.

Filipe Morais shone for the Trotters during March with two goals and an astonishing ten assists, while Adam Le Fondre top-scored with five goals as he re-opened his account following his return the club - the duo both starting all of Wanderers' fixtures.

Josh Vela also fired home two important goals as the Whites continued to challenge for automatic promotion, having appeared in all six of Bolton's matches alongside Ben Alnwick, Gary Madine, Derik Osede and Andrew Taylor.

Elsewhere, Darren Pratley impressed as he started five matches following his return from injury.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Filipe Morais

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Having joined the Whites on a free transfer in February, the wideman scored his first two Bolton goals during the month and recorded an astonishing ten assists as the Trotters went unbeaten throughout March.
 
The 31-year-old opened his account for Wanderers with a late winner against Northampton Town before netting again against Oxford United, while his standout moments came when he claimed three assists in the Whites' 4-2 away victory over promotion-rivals Fleetwood Town before setting up all four goals in their 4-0 victory at Gillingham.
 
Starting all six of Bolton' games during the month, Morais' performances also saw him recognised around the division as he was named both PFA Fans' and Sky Bet's League One Player of the Month.
 
MEMORABLE MATCH: Fleetwood Town 2-4 Bolton




Two goals in each half made it an emphatic away win for Bolton Wanderers who ended Fleetwood Town’s 18-game run in clinical fashion with a 4-2 victory at Highbury Stadium.
 
Goals from Adam Le Fondre (2), David Wheater and Mark Beevers ensured Phil Parkinson’s men returned to winning ways and put them firmly in the mix for automatic promotion.
 
MARCH RESULTS:
AFC Wimbledon (H) D 1-1
Fleetwood Town (A) W 2-4
Gillingham (A) W 0-4
Northampton Town (H) W 2-1
Oxford United (A) W 2-4
Shrewsbury Town (A) W 0-2

MARCH APPEARANCES:
Mark Beevers 6
Dorian Dervite 6
David Wheater 6
Ben Alnwick 6
Adam Le Fondre 6
Gary Madine 6
Filipe Morais 6
Andrew Taylor 6
Josh Vela 6
Derik Osede 6
Darren Pratley 5
Jem Karacan 3
Jay Spearing 2
James Henry 2
Chris Long 2
Tom Thorpe 1
Max Clayton 1
Mark Howard 1
Dean Moxey 1
Liam Trotter 1

MARCH GOALSCORERS:
Adam Le Fondre 5
Mark Beevers 4
Filipe Morais 2
Josh Vela 2
David Wheater 2
Gary Madine 1
Own goal 1